How Donald Trump Destroyed America's Economy in 100 Days.
In just 100 days, Donald Trump has managed to drag the U.S. economy — once the envy of the world — to the brink of crisis. What began with promises to "make America affordable again" has devolved into widespread fear among voters, plummeting consumer confidence, and a shaken global reputation.
Americans, nostalgic for the pre-pandemic economy, handed Trump another chance in November 2024. But instead of delivering relief, Trump has unleashed a reckless economic experiment. His policies are spiking prices, threatening shortages, and leaving CEOs, small businesses, and everyday shoppers grappling with chaos.
“You’re going to have the wealthiest country we’ve ever had, and you’re going to have an explosion upward in the not-too-distant future,” Trump told Time Magazine in a recent interview. Yet, reality tells a starkly different story.
A Wrecking Ball to the Global Economy
Trump has launched the most aggressive overhaul of U.S. trade policy in generations, weaponizing "beautiful" tariffs in a bid to coerce foreign markets and revive an imaginary golden age. His belief that America can bully its way to economic dominance has already backfired. Trillions have been wiped from the stock market. Airlines are slashing routes. Retailers are abandoning Chinese-made goods. The IMF has cut U.S. growth forecasts, while the Fed warns that businesses are pulling back on hiring.
RELATED: Trump Teases a Third Term — A Move That Would Endanger American Democracy.
Consumer sentiment hit its fourth-lowest point since 1952, and CNN’s Fear and Greed Index has been flashing "extreme fear" for a month straight.
Trump’s power grab — including declaring a dubious national emergency to impose tariffs — has alienated U.S. allies, destabilized global markets, and rattled investors who once saw America as the safest bet.
Chaos, Confusion, and Corporate Panic
Under Trump’s erratic leadership, the economy is being whipsawed by unpredictable tariff moves. He imposes, pauses, and reimposes tariffs without warning, creating a climate of uncertainty businesses fear most.
He boasts of having already made “200 trade deals” — despite little evidence of actual progress. Trump’s China tariffs, topping out at 145%, have nearly frozen trade between the two countries. Beijing, for its part, denies even being in contact with the U.S.
Meanwhile, CEOs are openly warning of disaster. Walmart's CEO cautioned that supply chains could seize up by summer. Airlines are trimming flight schedules. Some businesses have stopped hiring altogether.
Trump’s Fantasy Economy
Despite the growing storm, Trump continues to portray himself as an economic genius.
"This is one of the most important days, in my opinion, in American history. It’s our declaration of economic independence," Trump declared on April 2, gleefully posting tariff rates for dozens of nations. But within hours of retaliatory tariffs taking effect, he abruptly paused them for 90 days after bond markets signaled investor panic.
RELATED: Trump’s Reckless Assault on the Federal Reserve.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent tried to spin Trump's unpredictability as "strategic uncertainty," claiming, "Nobody’s better at creating this leverage than President Trump." Yet the promised flood of favorable deals has yet to materialize — and likely never will.
Higher Prices, Less Relief
Even if Trump’s gamble pays off — and that's a big if — higher prices are inevitable. Trump himself admitted he would see it as a "total victory" if tariffs drive prices 20%, 30%, even 50% higher on imports.
His claim that he's lowering costs for basic goods is simply false. Worse, he suggested he alone should set the prices of goods, declaring to Time, "We are a department store, and we set the price." Centralized price-setting by an economically illiterate president would destroy free markets and lead to unprecedented corruption.
America's Brand in Peril
America's reputation as a global economic leader is fading fast. As billionaire investor Ken Griffin warned at the Semafor World Economy Summit:
"The United States was more than just a nation. It’s a brand. It was like an aspiration for most the world. And we’re eroding that brand right now."
RELATED: Picking the Wrong Fight: Why China Holds All the Cards in Trump’s Trade War.
Conclusion - Path to Destruction
After just 100 days, Trump's presidency has sown economic turmoil, global distrust, and domestic fear. Once the world's gold standard, the U.S. economy is being gambled away on the whim of a leader who values bravado over strategy. The worst part? I fear it is only going to get worse. No one around him seems willing — or able — to stand up to Trump, and the price for their silence will be paid by every American.
